Apr 5, 2024

Cool your jets! Hold your horses! Slow your (manufacturing) roll!

Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images

That's basically what Treasury chief Janet Yellen is telling Chinese leaders this week. Plus, wages outpaced inflation last month.

Segments From this episode

The Weekly Wrap

by Amy Scott

“Marketplace” host Amy Scott talks the March jobs report, what it means for interest rate policy, and more with Jeanna Smialek at the New York Times and Catherine Rampell at the Washington Post for the Weekly Wrap.

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Wage growth outpaced inflation in March

by Mitchell Hartman

Apr 5, 2024

That's good for workers, who have been experiencing positive real wage growth since May 2023.

“And so workers are coming out ahead. They’ve now experienced positive real wage growth since May of 2023,” says Julia Pollak at ZipRecruiter.

Nature via Getty Images

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Yellen's in China to deliver a message: Stop making so much stuff!

by Kimberly Adams

Apr 5, 2024

The booming U.S. economy is giving her leverage on trade as Western economies try to prevent a wave of cheap Chinese goods hitting the market.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Friday. Yellen is on a five-day visit for trade talks amid tensions between the U.S. and China.

Ken Ishii - Pool/Getty Images

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Baltimore Bridge Collapse

How crews on cargo ships stranded in Baltimore are working to maintain good "seafarer culture"

by Stephanie Hughes

Apr 5, 2024

Ship crews are used to a life in motion. Now the mostly international workers could be stuck in port for weeks.

Captain Prachya Prengsieng stands aboard the Phatra Naree, a cargo ship with a crew from Thailand. It’s docked right next to the collapsed Key Bridge, and can’t leave the Port of Baltimore.

Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace

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"Green bank" funding could help renewables be more profitable for investors

by Savannah Peters

Apr 5, 2024

The government will route $20 billion through community lenders and nonprofits that are geared to clean energy and climate solutions.

The hope behind green bank grants is that government backing will mobilize private investment in climate-friendly projects.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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Efforts to boost manufacturing and clean energy run up against a shortage of welders

by Justin Ho

Apr 5, 2024

Welders are needed to build and upgrade roads and bridges, energy infrastructure and chip foundries. But the profession has an image problem.

There’s a perception that welding is a dirty, dangerous and dead-end career. Employers are trying to change that.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

"Aminals" Baths

"A Little Piano" DJ Mitsu the Beats

"Phantom" Atlus/Persona 5 Soundtrack

"Chosen" Blood Orange

"Black Coffee" Elijah Who

"Feel Your Weight - Poolside Remix" Rhye, Poolside

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Assistant Producer

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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